Patch news sites in Michigan without editors after companywide layoffs

Editors at Patch, which includes 30 hyper local news sites in Southeast Michigan, received word this morning of companywide layoffs that have put the news sites they managed at a standstill.

According to one source, who took part in a conference call explaining the layoffs this morning, all of the roughly 15 employees in Michigan were laid off today.

It was unclear what will happen to the sites following the layoffs, but editors in Michigan lost the ability to post to the sites today, the source said.

Patch began operations in 2007 and was bought by AOL in 2009. It grew to a network of about 900 news sites across the country. Plymouth Patch, Rochester Patch, Birmingham Patch and St. Clair Shores Patch were among the first to launch in Michigan in 2010.

Two weeks ago — following a year of layoffs and the shutdown of sites across the country — AOL sold its majority stake in Patch to Hale Global, an investment holding company. In the announcement of the sale, Hale CEO Charles Hale said, "We are committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure Patch remains a vibrant part of the community."

Messages left with Patch and Hale Global were not immediately returned today.

Following the conference call this morning, staff members received an email with further information about the layoffs, including that they will receive a two-month severance package, the source said.

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